Willie Brown, left, became the first African-American male athlete to play in the Nashville Interscholastic League in 1963. He is shown with teammate Harold Hounihan.

Father Ryan will continue its celebration of 50 years of sports equality Tuesday with the retirement of No. 50, worn by Willie Brown, at the school's first home basketball game against Lipscomb Academy.

Brown and teammate Jesse Porter were the first African-Americans to integrate high school sports in the South when he began playing with the Irish in the 1963-64 season.

No. 50 will no longer be worn by any Father Ryan athlete in any sport.

In his two years as a starter, Brown helped Father Ryan post a 52-6 record.

- Mike Organ

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Father Ryan will retire No. 50 in honor of integration

Father Ryan is retiring No. 50, worn by Willie Brown, who with teammate Jesse Porter in 1963 became the first African-Americans to integrate high school sports in the South.